Suffering so you don't have to!
Metalcatto
It’s been a while since we reviewed something remarkably sad. Like, more depressing than a puppy getting put down. Anyway, Nail by Nail has a strange approach. It’s this old school Black Metal mixed with crushing Melodic Death Metal. That sounds exciting, right? Especially if you’re a crazy masochist like all of us. Yet I can’t help but worry about this thing being too safe. It’s a familiar formula, and familiarity can be a double-edged sword—comforting, yes, but also predictable.
Metalcatto
Time to continue with one of our oldest traditions, courtesy of Veilburner. These guys have basically released an album every year we’ve been running this business. It’s not up to us—they’re crazy productive and even more consistent. I can’t think of any of its albums being bad, which is why I’m approaching All That Glimmers is Gloam with a healthy degree of optimism. You never know what the band is going to deliver, and that’s exciting.
Vicky
Back when I was younger, there was this saying that went something like this: there are things out there that you won’t understand, so try to stay away from them. Had that honestly been the case, I probably shouldn’t/wouldn’t have listened to this album, that I can barely pronounce without summoning evil spirits, let alone review without looking astonished behind my laptop (since you cannot see me, take my word for it, would you?).
Thechopstickdrummer
I treasure observing the development of young bands. By “young”, I mean the duration of the band’s existence and the youthfulness of its members. The Larches, an English take on sludge metal-meets-alternative rock, is one of these projects yet to break free from the shackles of their hometown, and I love that. Forming in 2021 near Middlesbrough, The Larches hooked me in with a name inspired by a genus of Northern conifers and a sludgy yet passionate attitude present in their upcoming EP, Nihilistic Majesties. This sophomore release exhibits the band’s gradual shift towards a more industry-ready visual aesthetic, while still recording charming homemade music videos, and while part of me never wants The Larches to leave that amateur aesthetic behind, it’s time to give the band a bigger spotlight. However, in the spotlight comes major criticism.
Metalcatto
Yes, we actually got an OG promo for once. If you don’t know who Taake is, well, it’s time you go back to his first three albums or so. They’re Black Metal landmarks—some of them even a 5/5 in my book. However, it’s been forever since Taake didn’t bore me to death, and En Skog Av Nidstang has to beat my overwhelming negative bias. Will a miracle happen?
Metalcatto
It’s not that I’m a Protest The Hero expert, but I’ve been a fan since Kezia. That means I’m OG, and my opinion matters more than some noob’s, right? Anyway, I don’t think the band has an album below a 4.0 out of 5.0. Its blend of Prog, Mathcore, and Metalcore has made this project one of the most unique out there. Not to mention the almost optimistic feeling in each one of its releases, no matter how dark the subject actually is. So how do you top such an impeccable career? Let’s find out with Within.
Metalcatto
I know what you’re asking, but you’re too afraid to make a fool of yourself, so I’ll make it for you: Is Complexant complex? Is Apex actually peak, or as many times before, are these just meaningless words? I had no expectations of anything but getting bashed with violent riffs and endless blasting. But perhaps I was wrong. Perhaps I’m about to be surprised and get destroyed in new, beautiful ways. Let’s see.
Metalcatto
I love how we went from not hearing anything from Green Carnation in more than a decade to getting two albums in one year. The Metalsphere can be really unpredictable. We already reviewed Part I and Part II, and though I wasn’t as blown away as many other reviewers, I’m still excited to review A Dark Poem Part III: The Messiah Complex. Is this going to be the epic next step in the trilogy, or am I going to fall asleep? Whatever happens, this can’t top Light of Day, Day of Darkness, right?
Thechopstickdrummer
Sixth grade was fun. Yes, the year situated itself right in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but hell, at least we learned about the ancient Egyptians! Both historians and metalheads share a mutual infatuation with past civilizations, as reflected in the metal community by strong devotees–Nile, South Carolina’s best output since sweet tea, and Polish mainstay NEOLITH, come to mind first. Since 1991, the latter has been eviscerating, desiccating, and wrapping the people of Poland and beyond in linen with a classic combination of death and black metal. Inbir, meaning “war” in Sumerian (widening their scope of ancient societies, I see), is the band’s sixth installment of this threatening sound, so I’d better get listening and lamenting about its potential shortcomings before I’m ḫȝtb*
Metalcatto
We’ve got an OG of the ultra-underground section today. It’s Die Entweihung with a new album named World Wide Terror. That’s not news here—the project releases something basically every year, so I know what to expect: old school Amorphis worship with a touch of Folk Metal that can remind you a tiny bit of Orphaned Land, except the production is rawer than a sushi roll. But is it as tasty? Let’s see.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 